Washing device



p 21, 1965 J. J. M CARTHY 3,206,952

WASHING DEVICE Filed April 26, 1962 III, 3 O -Illl) I50 l7a- Ill 5 11 1 V IZCI/ v I |4u I a \v Fly. 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORN EYS United States Patent 3,206,952 WASHING DEVICE John J. McCarthy, 2097 Riverside Drive, Lakewood 7, Ohio Filed Apr. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 190,328 Claims. (Cl. 68213) This invention relates to laundry equipment and more particularly to a device for laundering light fabrics in a closed environment so that the hands do not come in contact with hot water and/or strong detergent solutions.

In many instances it is desirable or necessary to launder a few items of clothing by hand and the size of the wash load does not justify the use of a conventional washing machine. In those instances it is usually inconvenient to send the washing to a commercial laundry establishment and expensive to operate a home washing machine.

Furthermore, many modern fabrics and woolen articles such as socks and sweaters cannot be machine laundered because of inherent characteristics such as shrinkage and fading. These articles are usually laundered in a cool or lukewarm detergent solution by gently pressing the article so that the detergent will contact the fibers of the fabric. Washing machines and particularly automatic washing machines cannot perform these operations because of the relatively violent agitating action during the washing and rinsing cycles of these machines.

The usual procedure followed in washing small laundry loads is to wash the articles by hand in a sink or basin. This technique is objectionable if not dangerous in many instances, since many detergents are allergenic to some people and produce dermatological reactions.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for laundering relatively small loads of light fabrics in a closed environment.

A more specific object of this invention is to produce a device which enables a person to wash and rinse fabrics without requiring the person that is washing the fabrics to immerse his hands in detergent solutions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a A lightweight device for accomplishing the above objectives that may be easily and conveniently packed in a valise or overnight case for traveling and which also may serve as a laundry bag.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more fully understood from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a device according to this invention showing the device in a sink and connected to a water faucet.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the device of FIGURE 1 with the water inlet hose removed.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2 but showing an alternate embodiment of the water inlet means.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a hand operated washing device 10 is illustrated which comprises an impervious flexible bag 11 and a top closure assembly 12. The flexible bag 11 may be fabricated from any flexible mate rial that will be inert to a detergent and which will be unaffected by hot washing water. The bag 11 is preferably transparent so that the washing and rinsing operations may be visually observed.

The top closure assembly 12 comprises an inner retaining ring 13, an outer retaining ring 14, and a closure cap which may be threadedly attached to the outer retaining ring 14 as is shown in FIGURE 2. Of course other means may be provided for attaching the closure cap 15 to the outer retaining ring 14. Metal spring clips or bails (not shown) may be provided on either the closure cap ice element or the other retaining element to clampingly engage and hold the other element. The top opening of the bag 11 is held between the inner and outer retaining rings 13 and 14 by a press fit which provides a water tight seal.

The top closure cap 15 is provided with a water inlet port 16 and a water outlet port 17. As is shown in FIG- URE 1, one end of a water inlet hose 18 extends into the water inlet port and the other end of the hose 18 is connected to a water faucet 19. A water outlet hose 20 extends out of the water outlet port 17 and downwardly towards the bottom of a sink 21. The hoses 18 and 20 are frictionally engaged by the water inlet and outlet ports 16 and 17, respectively, and are removable therefrom. The specific purpose and function of the hoses 18 and 20 will hereinafter become apparent. Suitable inlet and outlet closure caps 22 and 23, respectively, are provided which provide water tight seals for the inlet and outlet ports 16 and 17 when the hoses 18 and 20 are removed. The caps 22 and 23 may be pivotally connected to the closure cap 15 and swung out of the way when they are not in use.

An agitating cup 24 is fixed to the lower surface of the closure cap 15 and extends into the bag 11. The cup 24 is preferably flexible and may be suitably be made from rubber. A U-shaped working handle 25 may be fixed to the upper surface of the closure cap 15.

The device is operated by placing articles to be washed and a suitable detergent or washing compound in the bag 11. The closure cap 15 is then screwed or clamped into place. The caps 22 and 23 are removed from the ports 16 and 17 and the hose 18 is inserted into the inlet port 16 and connected to the water faucet 19. Hot or cold water, depending upon the nature of the fabrics to be washed, is admitted to the bag 11 until the bag is about half full. The displaced air escapes through the open port 17. The hose 18 may be removed from the port 16 and the caps 22 and 23 are snapped into place to close the ports 16 and 17. It may be necessary to express some of the air from the bag before these ports are closed.

The fabrics are washed by grasping the handle 25 and working it in an up and down manner. This action will cause the cup 24 to press water and detergent through the fibers of the articles in the bag 11.

The articles in the bag 11 are rinsed by removing the cap 22 and again connecting the hose 18 to the port 16 and to the faucet 19. The cap 23 is also removed and the outlet hose 20 is connected to the port 17. The water is turned on and the handle 25 may be again operated during this rinsing cycle to effect a rapid rinse. However, a particularly advantageous feature of this invention is that the action of the water flowing through the bag will rinse the articles without operation of the cup 24.

After the fabrics have been rinsed, the closure cap 15 is removed and the water is expressed from the fabrics by squeezing the bag 11. When the fabrics are removed from the bag 11 the bag may be cleaned and dried by removing the inner and outer retaining ring 13 and 14 and turning the bag inside out.

An alternate embodiment of the top closure assembly is illustrated in FIGURE 3. A top closure assembly 12a is provided which comprises an inner retaining ring 13a, an outer retaining ring 14a, and a closure cap 15a. The top opening of the bag 11a is held between the inner and outer retaining rings 13a and 14a.

The closure cap 15a is provided with a water outlet port 17a. The hose 20a extends out of the outlet port 17a and a pivoted outlet closure cap 23a is provided which closes the port 17a when the hose 20a is not being utilized. A hollow agitating handle 26 is fixed to and extends through the closure cap 15a. The handle 26 has an axial bore 16a therethrough. An agitating cup 24a is fixed to the inner end of the handle 26. The axial bore 16a receives one end of a water inlet hose (not shown) which is similar to the previously described hose 18. The handle 26 is provided with an internal or external stopper (not shown) which serves to close the axial bore 16a during the washing cycle.

A particularly advantageous feature of th1s embodiment of the invention is that the hollow handle permits water to flow into the bag 11a through the flexible cup 24a. This is especially beneficial during the rinsing cycle since the cup 24a will force the rinse water through the fabrics in a more positive manner when it is Worked up i and down.

In some instances it may not be desirable or necessary to provide separate water inlet or outlet ports in the top 'closure cap. A single port may be provided in the top closure cap which has a diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the hose 18.

cally disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an annular ring clampingly engaging the opening of said bag, a top closure cap removablyattached to said annular ring, an inlet port in said top closure CBP, an outlet port in said top closure cap, and .an agitating means having a portion mounted on said top closure cap for movement therewith and having another portion extending into said bag, said other portion comprising an' agitating cup mounted for movement relative to said top closure cap.

2. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an inner retaining ring positioned on the inside surface of the top opening of said bag, an outer retaining ring positioned on the outside surface of the top opening of said bag, said inner' and outer retaining rings clampingly engaging the top opening of said bag, a top closure cap removably attached to said retaining 7 rings, an inlet port in said top closure cap, an outlet port in said top closure cap and an agitating cup mounted on said top closure cap for movement with respect to said cap and extending into said bag.

3. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an annular ring clampingly engaging the opening of said bag, a top closure cap removably attached to said annular ring, an agitating means having a portion mounted on said top closure cap for movement therewith and having another portion extending into said bag, said other portion comprising an agitating cup mounted for movement relative to said top closure cap, said agitating means defining an inlet port into said bag, and an outlet port in said top closure cap.

4. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an annular ring clampingly engaging the opening of said bag, a top closure cap removably attached to said annular ring, an agitating handle fixed to said top closure cap for movement therewith and extending through said top closure cap and into said bag, an agitating cup in said bag fixed to one end of said agitating handle and mounted for movement relative to said top closure cap, an axial inlet bore through said handle and said cup, and an outlet port in said top closure cap.

5. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an inner retaining ring positioned on the inside surface of the top opening of said bag, an outer retaining ring positioned on the outside surface of the top opening of said bag, said inner and outer retaining rings clampingly engaging the top opening of said -means defining an inlet port into said bag, and an outlet port in said top closure cap.

6. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly comprising an inner retaining ring positioned on the inside surface of the top opening of said bag, an outer retaining ring positioned on the outside surface of the top opening of said bag, said inner and outer retaining rings clampingly engaging the top opening of said bag, a top closure cap removably attached to said retaining rings, an agitating handle fixed to said top closure cap for movement therewith and extending through said top closure cap and into said bag, an agitating cup in said bag fixed to one end of'said agitating handle for movement relative to said top closure cap, an axial inlet bore through said handle and said cup, and an outlet port in said top closure cap.

7. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an imperviousfiexiblebag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an annular ring clampingly engaging the opening of said bag, a top closure cap removably attached to said annular ring, means defining a water inlet and outlet port in said top closure cap, and an agitating means having avportion mounted on said top closure cap for movement therewith and having another portion top closure assembly defining a substantially closed chamher, and an agitating means having a portion mounted on said top closure assembly for movement therewith and having another portion extending into said bag, said other portion comprising an agitating cup mounted for movement relative to said top closure assembly.

9. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening closure assembly defining a substantially closed chamber,

means defining water inlet and outlet ports into and out of said chamber, and an agitating means having a portion mounted on said top closure assembly for movement therewith and having another portion extending into said bag, said other portion comprising an agitating cup mounted for movement relative to said top, closure assembly.

10. A laundry device adapted to be held in the hand comprising an impervious flexible bag having an opening at the top and a top closure assembly, said top closure assembly comprising an annular ring clampingly engaging'theopening of said ,bag, a top closure cap removably attached to saidyannular ring, said bag and said top closure assembly defining a substantially closed chamber, means defining water inlet and outlet ports into and out References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Isham 68-43 X Schwoerer 68-181 10 Miller 68-43 Kuck 68-122 De Marco 68-181 X 2,315,684 4/43 Benson 68-122 2,341,729 2/44 Jonson 68-214 2,538,095 1/51 Goldenberg 68-133 2,596,791 5/52 Rand 68-21 2,997,870 8/61 Serra 68-96 X 3,009,344 11/61 Falconer 68-181 FOREIGN PATENTS 80,828 10/52 Norway.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner. 

8. A LAUNDRY DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE HELD IN THE HAND COMPRISING AN IMPERVIOUS FLEXIBLE BAG HAVING AN OPENING AT THE TOP AND A TOP CLOSURE ASSEMBLY, SAID BAG AND SAID TOP CLOSURE ASSEMBLY DEFINING A SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSED CHAMBER, AND AN AGITATING MEANS HAVING A PORTION MOUNTED ON SAID TOP CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH AND HAVING ANOTHER PORTION EXTENDING INTO SAIDBAG, SAID OTHER PORTION COMPRISING AN AGITATING CUP MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID TOP CLOSURE ASSEMBLY. 